The Center for Emergent Materials (CEM) announces a call for proposals to the Seed Funding Program. The RFP for the 2009 Strategic Interest Call for Proposals: Hybrid Materials is available for download. The application deadline is 5:00 PM, Wednesday, July 1, 2009, with an anticipated start date on or about September 1, 2009.

Through the Seed Funding Program, NSF intends to provide flexibility for the Center to respond quickly and effectively to new opportunities beyond the current scope of the center. Direct ties of the proposed research with the existing Interdisciplinary Research Groups (IRGs) are not required. However, synergy with the mission of the CEM is expected.

The aim of the Strategic Interest Grant Program is to develop into areas of strategic interest to the materials community. The 2009 call focuses on the field of hybrid materials, broadly defined. The grants provide funds of up to $50,000 in direct costs to be expended over a 12-month period.

Potential applicants may contact the Seed Board Co-Chairs Ezekiel Johnston-Halperin (ejh@mps.ohio-state.edu, 614-247-4074) or Julia Meyer (jmeyer@mps.ohio-state.edu, 614-292-7995) for questions related to potential research activities.

The 2009 Rapid Response Grant Call for Proposals will be issued in the near future.